Russia announced, on Wednesday, its withdrawal from the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, after its final ratification by the House of Representatives (the Duma), in order to restore parity in the field of nuclear weapons and against the backdrop of the conflict in Ukraine and the crisis with the West, according to a statement published by the House of Representatives on its website.
The Russian Duma’s resolution, which was unanimously approved by 156 votes, paving the way for its signature by the Russian President, coincided with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu’s announcement that Moscow would train its forces to carry out a “massive nuclear strike” in response to a potential enemy strike.
These maneuvers included the launch of ballistic missiles, and the launch of long-range cruise missiles by Tu-95MS aircraft, according to the Russian RIA Novosti agency.
The Kremlin said that these maneuvers were in the presence and supervision of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and witnessed training to launch a massive nuclear strike by strategic offensive forces, in response to a hostile nuclear strike, according to what Interfax reported.
Russian television broadcast a video clip showing Putin listening to the report of his Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov, after these maneuvers.
What are the reasons for the Russian withdrawal?
This step comes within a group of Russian actions and statements that have led to an increase in nuclear tension with the West since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
According to a statement by the House of Representatives, which adopted the law last week, the decision came in response to:
“The irresponsible attitude of the United States towards maintaining global security,” said Council President Vyacheslav Volodin. In response to the United States never concluding the text, according to President Putin, who praised the development of new high-yield missiles that can carry nuclear warheads. Since the start of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, Putin has adopted a number of positions regarding the use of nuclear weapons, and deployed tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, his closest ally, in the summer of 2023. The decision came after Russia in February suspended its participation in the New START nuclear disarmament treaty. Signed between Russia and the United States in 2010, it is the last bilateral agreement between Moscow and Washington. Russia feels that it “has no choice but to go along with Washington’s position regarding nuclear tests,” according to previous statements by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.
What is the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty?
The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, concluded in 1996, prohibits all nuclear test explosions, whether for military or other purposes, even for peaceful uses.
187 countries signed the treaty, and 178 countries ratified it in their parliaments. Of the nine countries that possess nuclear weapons, Britain, France, and Russia have signed and ratified the treaty. The United States, Israel, and China also signed the treaty without ratifying it, while India, Pakistan, and North Korea have not signed or ratified it yet.
What are the repercussions of the Russian withdrawal?
Russia says that revoking the ratification of the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was not aimed at conducting its first nuclear test since 1990, and that it will not conduct any nuclear tests unless Washington does so.
This step gives Russia legal cover to conduct nuclear tests, if it wants, according to observers. It may increase the chances that Russia will conduct a nuclear test. Nuclear tests make Russia an option for use if its fortunes in the Ukraine war deteriorate, according to some security analysts.
Ukraine war and response to sanctions
Russian expert Alexei Leonkov told Sky News Arabia that the United States’ disbelief and failure to take steps to fulfill its obligations made this treaty a farce in which Russia could not participate, noting that the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty had not entered into force legally, and would not. This will only happen after it is signed and ratified by 44 specific countries, including the nine countries that possess nuclear weapons, and 35 other countries that possess nuclear capabilities and nuclear research reactors. Russia will not wait in light of the West’s attempt to undermine its national security from the borders of Ukraine.
Russia has every right to withdraw from that treaty if there are threats to its interests and national security. Russia had to respond in kind to Western sanctions, and therefore had to cut off the supply of any information or data to the Austrian weapons control system on its nuclear tests or strategic weapons. India and Pakistan refused to ratify the treaty because most of the observation stations were located on the territory of US allies.
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2023-10-26 16:52:36
